Fitness centre operator The Gym Group has taken a new 11,200 sq ft unit in Edinburgh in a deal with Sainsbury's.

The pay-as-you-go gym operator has taken the first floor of the Sainsbury's superstore building in Murrayfield on a 15-year lease and a rent of £120,000 per annum, subject to upward only rent reviews every five years.

The new gym is expected to open before Christmas, with another also due to open at Cameron Toll shopping centre in Edinburgh by March 2017.

The Gym Group currently operates six gyms on Scotland, including one existing site in Edinburgh, four sites in Glasgow and another in Hamilton.

The Gym Group raised £125 million from an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the main market of the London Stock Exchange last November to fund its “aggressive growth strategy” to open between 15 and 20 new outlets a year.

Callum Mortimer, director at property agent CBRE, who helped secure the lease on the Murrayfield unit, said: “The accommodation lends itself well to a gym operator given its accessibility, layout and location beside a supermarket anchor with car parking.

“We approached and had discussions with various gym operators in order to secure the best possible terms on behalf of Sainsbury’s.

“The gym complements the Sainsbury’s store well and I am confident it will be a major success in this densely populated location.”